Food & Income Security

November SNAP has been paid. DTA will be posting updates at Mass.gov/SNAPUpdates.

Last-reviewed: Nov. 17, 2025

Navigating the Department of Transitional Assistance

  • Because of federal changes to the law, people should be on the lookout for notices from benefits programs, and should follow instructions and respond as required.
  • DTA Decision Notices are available in English, Spanish, Chinese (Simplified), Haitian Creole, Portuguese (Brazilian) and Vietnamese.
  • DTA began issuing notices of termination to some SNAP recipients who are subject to the three month limit and work requirements (these are adults without dependent children who do not fall into one of the many exemptions). MLRI has a helpful guide to the three month limit and work requirements for community organizations.
  • Many SNAP recipients have reported difficulties in reaching help through the DTA Assistance Line. Strategies to help patients reach a SNAP worker can be found here. 
  • A small number of Massachusetts households who receive SNAP may be selected by “Quality Control” for a case review. The reviews are done to determine that households are receiving the correct benefits and to verify that decisions to deny or terminate a household from SNAP was correct. Households selected are required to participate.
  • DTA continues to warn clients about “phishing” scams. These scams attempt to obtain client information by texting clients that they need to provide their information and posing as a DTA website to capture information. Care teams can remind participants that DTA will never ask for their EBT card number online. Households whose benefits have been stolen can report fraud to DTA. For more information on how to protect their benefits, including how to re-pin their EBT card, clients can visit mass.gov/ProtectYourEBT.
  • DTA offices have Domestic Violence Specialists to help survivors access DTA benefits and services. People can call the DTA Assistance Line at 877-382-2363 and select #2 to be connected with a Domestic Violence Specialist.
  • Each DTA office has at least one Client Assistance Coordinator to help people with disabilities access DTA benefits and services, including accommodations.
  • DTA lobbies are open for limited services (e.g., getting an EBT card, using a kiosk to use DTA Connect, SNAP Path to Work, SNAP Nutrition Education and other DTA web services). Additional services can be accessed by calling DTA at 877-382-2363 or visiting the DTA Connect website.
  • Cash assistance (TAFDC and EAEDC) applicants can request an interpreter if they feel most comfortable speaking in a language other than English. DTAConnect.com and EBT brochures are also available in 6 languages (Chinese, English, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Spanish, and Vietnamese).
  • If cash assistance applications are delayed due to a DTA error (e.g., a paperwork processing delay), applicants have a right to receive a retroactive payment. The retroactive payment should cover any missed benefits dating back to the date they applied. 
  • DTA Learnfare requirements mandate that any child 6-15 years old who receives TAFDC must attend school regularly. To comply with Learnfare rules, a child may not have more than 8 unexcused absences each quarter. Find more information here, including reasons why an absence may be considered excused.

Food security

  • Project Bread has a FoodSource Hotline (800) 645-8333. Clients can call or text to receive information about food resources in their area or talk with a Project Bread counselor. The Hotline is available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m., and Saturday, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. 
  • Three SNAP eligibility cuts in H.R.1. began on November 1, 2025 (work requirements, some immigration statuses). However, DTA must first screen households for changes and exemptions during their next SNAP recertification before it applies to any of the three cuts. Due to this screening requirement, eligibility cuts will be felt on a rolling basis over the next 12 months. See MLRI’s chart on DTA implementation of H.R.1.
  • November SNAP has been paid. DTA will be posting updates at Mass.gov/SNAPUpdates.
  • MySnapMap has a map of restaurants offering meals for people affected by the government shutdown.
  • The Healthy Incentives Program provides additional funds to families who use SNAP at participating farmers markets and farm stands. SNAP households may use up to $40, $60 or $80/month through the Healthy Incentives Program. Beginning 9/1, the amounts available are based on household size, and might be an increase from the $40/month/household that had been available.
  • The Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) allows eligible households to use SNAP to buy meals at certain restaurants.
  • SNAP households who lost food due to household misfortune can complete a SNAP 9B form to replace up to one month of SNAP benefits.
  • DTA requires recertification reporting. SNAP households who receive recertification paperwork should complete it otherwise their SNAP will end. These forms can be completed over the phone, on DTAConnect, or by returning the paper form by mail/fax/in-person.
  • Claiming medical expenses can boost SNAP benefits! Eligible SNAP households can self-declare the SNAP Medical Expense Deduction at any time over the phone or in writing to DTA. The $155 deduction is limited to people ages 60+ and those with a verified disability if their average out-of-pocket medical costs exceed $35/month. Call the DTA Senior Assistance Office at 833-712-8027 for more information.
  • Massachusetts residents can now apply for SNAP benefits when seeking subsidized healthcare coverage through a MassHealthConnector application by clicking the SNAP checkbox on the application. Approximately 700,000 residents are within the “SNAP Gap,” meaning that they receive MassHealth coverage but are not receiving SNAP benefits.
  • SNAP benefits will expire if an EBT or P-EBT card is not used to purchase food for 9 months (274 days). There is no way to get benefits back once they expire. DTA will send a notice 30 days prior to expunging any benefits from your card.
  • Applicants for SNAP benefits can ask to pick up their EBT card at a local office instead of waiting for it to be mailed. DTA can mail EBT cards overnight in emergency situations like when an applicant is experiencing interpersonal violence (IPV) or homelessness.
  • Even though there is no funding from Congress for SNAP replacement benefits, it is still the recommendation that people report stolen benefits to DTA as soon as they know. If additional funding becomes available, benefits might be replaced in the future.

Nutrition and Project Bread

  • The Summer Eats program provides children, ages 18 and under, with free and healthy meals and snacks at locations across Massachusetts during the summer months.
  • School Meals for All is now permanent for Massachusetts students enrolled in schools participating in the National School Lunch Program.
  • Project Bread’s FoodSource Hotline offers free and confidential help with information about food programs, paying for food, benefit eligibility, and more. Call or text 1-800-645-8333.
  • Meals on Wheels provides nutritional support to homebound seniors; the Senior Nutrition Program provides information on community meals, home-delivered meals and other supportive programs for older adults.

Women, Infants & Children Nutrition Program (WIC)

Financial assistance

  • Massachusetts residents may be eligible for tax credits even if they earn very little or no money. They will need to file a tax return to claim federal or state earned income or child tax credits. FindYourFunds.org has more information.
  • Some taxpayers may qualify for free tax return preparation assistance through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE), and AARP programs. They may also qualify for free e-filing. Find more information on the mass.gov website.
  • Search for low-income filer tax assistance with the IRS search tool.
  • A 10% increase in cash benefits for TAFDC and EAEDC programs will take effect in April 2025 with a family of three receiving up to $861/month in TAFDC benefits and up to $441/month in EAEDC benefits for older adults or people with disabilities. 
  • Many Social Security offices are open for walk-in service. Due to long in-person wait times, the SSA advises people to complete services online or by calling a local office whenever possible. 
  • Older adults and people with disabilities who receive SNAP benefits and have medical expenses greater than $35 and less than or equal to $190 per month are eligible for a $155 SNAP Medical Expense Deduction. Call the DTA Senior Assistance Office at 833-712-8027 or download a flyer for more information.
  • Free., a program offering menstrual hygiene products, is working to end period poverty in Massachusetts. The program has distributed more than 261,844 products to individuals and through partner agencies.

Unlocking Access® Resources for Care Teams

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Food & Income Security (November 2023)

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Training Deck

Utility Protections to Help People Get and Stay Connected (October 2024)

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Maximizing Tax Benefits to Support Financial Stability (March 2023)

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